The first integrated multimodal assay for the ultrasensitive detection of dengue contamination of blood. This project will develop the first screening test to check for dengue contamination of blood donations in Australia. This will help ensure safe, continued supply from blood donors, particularly in Queensland where dengue is on the rise.
Integrative brain imaging technologies. This project aims to develop quantitative metabolic imaging using simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The current generation of MR-PET scanners are capable of simultaneously acquiring MRI and PET data to enable quantitative anatomical, physiological and metabolic imaging. The project aims to develop new MRI methods for quantitative anatomical mapping, MR-based motion correction of dynamic PET scan data, and ....Integrative brain imaging technologies. This project aims to develop quantitative metabolic imaging using simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The current generation of MR-PET scanners are capable of simultaneously acquiring MRI and PET data to enable quantitative anatomical, physiological and metabolic imaging. The project aims to develop new MRI methods for quantitative anatomical mapping, MR-based motion correction of dynamic PET scan data, and joint estimation of physiological and metabolic organ activity. These advances will create innovative imaging technologies for advanced biomedical imaging research with a particular emphasis in healthy ageing.
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Ex vivo production of neutrophils. Relentless infections frequently occur in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy is toxic to the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. A low white blood cell count and in particular a low neutrophil count is linked with infection in these patients. Unlike red cells and platelets, neutrophils are difficult to collect from blood donors and hence are not routinely available. In this project, we will develop a practical, cost effic ....Ex vivo production of neutrophils. Relentless infections frequently occur in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy is toxic to the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. A low white blood cell count and in particular a low neutrophil count is linked with infection in these patients. Unlike red cells and platelets, neutrophils are difficult to collect from blood donors and hence are not routinely available. In this project, we will develop a practical, cost efficient process for the production of neutrophils from cord blood. Transfusion of these neutrophils should reduce the chance of patients suffering serious infection, allow them to recover faster from their chemotherapy, and reduce the need for admission to intensive care.Read moreRead less
EX VIVO PRODUCTION OF MATURE RED BLOOD CELLS FOR TRANSFUSION. This project aims to establish a practical, cost efficient biotechnology platform for the expansion and maturation of blood stem cells to produce blood transfusion products. Red blood cell production will be used as the prototype model. It is envisaged that blood bioreactors will initially supplement and ultimately replace the current blood donor based process, thus overcoming the on-going donor recruitment, retention and safety issue ....EX VIVO PRODUCTION OF MATURE RED BLOOD CELLS FOR TRANSFUSION. This project aims to establish a practical, cost efficient biotechnology platform for the expansion and maturation of blood stem cells to produce blood transfusion products. Red blood cell production will be used as the prototype model. It is envisaged that blood bioreactors will initially supplement and ultimately replace the current blood donor based process, thus overcoming the on-going donor recruitment, retention and safety issues associated with collection of single units of blood. This project is focused on providing solutions to two key technical and economical challenges: (a) achieving full maturation of red blood cells and (b) achieving at least a 100-fold intensification of the expansion and maturation process through perfusion.Read moreRead less
A “Goldilocks” live attenuated poultry vaccine for Infectious Coryza. This project aims to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Infectious Coryza using a live-attenuated vaccine approach. Infectious coryza is an acute respiratory disease of chickens and is caused by the bacterial pathogen, Avibacterium paragallinarum. Infectious Coryza can be controlled by appropriate biosecurity practises and this has been successful in the Australian context to date. However, in the USA, Europe and other e ....A “Goldilocks” live attenuated poultry vaccine for Infectious Coryza. This project aims to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Infectious Coryza using a live-attenuated vaccine approach. Infectious coryza is an acute respiratory disease of chickens and is caused by the bacterial pathogen, Avibacterium paragallinarum. Infectious Coryza can be controlled by appropriate biosecurity practises and this has been successful in the Australian context to date. However, in the USA, Europe and other equatorial regions, infectious Coryza remains an unsolved problem. The expected outcome of this project is a cross-serovar protective vaccine to prevent infectious coryza for use in endemic countries and to act as a biosecurity measure to protect Australia's poultry industry against an incursion of this disease.Read moreRead less
Towards the development of a novel live vaccine for the control of Glässer's disease (Haemophilus parasuis), a globally significant respiratory disease of swine. Respiratory diseases are common in intensively housed pigs, costing the Australian industry millions of dollars in lost production annually. Glässer's is a highly contagious and often fatal respiratory disease of pigs. Antibiotic therapy is expensive and often results in the emergence of antibiotic resistant organisms. There is also a t ....Towards the development of a novel live vaccine for the control of Glässer's disease (Haemophilus parasuis), a globally significant respiratory disease of swine. Respiratory diseases are common in intensively housed pigs, costing the Australian industry millions of dollars in lost production annually. Glässer's is a highly contagious and often fatal respiratory disease of pigs. Antibiotic therapy is expensive and often results in the emergence of antibiotic resistant organisms. There is also a trend to move away from the use of antibiotics in food production animals. Current vaccines are based on inactivated preparations and do not offer a high level of immune protection. Therefore, there is a great need worldwide for a live vaccine for the effective control of Glässer's disease.Read moreRead less
New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. This project aims to develop an innovative technology platform to deliver novel anti-infectives as biotechnological outcomes, using postgenomics, computing and chemistry. Advanced molecular, computer and chemistry technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to design radically new interventions against socioeconomically important infectious diseases affecting billions of a ....New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. This project aims to develop an innovative technology platform to deliver novel anti-infectives as biotechnological outcomes, using postgenomics, computing and chemistry. Advanced molecular, computer and chemistry technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to design radically new interventions against socioeconomically important infectious diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Anticipated outcomes are the design of radically new chemotherapies to control parasitic diseases, the translation of fundamental research into biotechnological outcomes, international visibility of Australian science, and a solid skills- and knowledge-base in veterinary drug development.Read moreRead less
In-situ electrochemical generation of caustic and oxygen from sewage for emission control in sewers. This project aims to deliver an innovative technology that controls the emission of notorious compounds from sewer networks using chemicals directly produced from sewage, with electricity being the input. Compared to existing methods, this technology provides a much safer and more environmentally friendly solution, at less than 50 per cent of the cost.
Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated c ....Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated compounds, will inform handling of contaminated sites and lead to development of cost effective and sustainable remediation technologies. Read moreRead less
Simultaneous dissolved methane and nitrogen removal. Direct anaerobic treatment of wastewater converts majority of organic matters in wastewater to methane, an energy source. However, up to 50% of the methane produced stays dissolved in wastewater. Its subsequent stripping to atmosphere in aerobic treatment not only causes significant loss of energy but also emission of a potent greenhouse gas. This project aims to develop a technology that not only avoids methane stripping but also enables its ....Simultaneous dissolved methane and nitrogen removal. Direct anaerobic treatment of wastewater converts majority of organic matters in wastewater to methane, an energy source. However, up to 50% of the methane produced stays dissolved in wastewater. Its subsequent stripping to atmosphere in aerobic treatment not only causes significant loss of energy but also emission of a potent greenhouse gas. This project aims to develop a technology that not only avoids methane stripping but also enables its beneficial use to enhance nitrogen removal, which is otherwise typically unsatisfactory due to the lack of organic carbon to support denitrification. The project will provide strong support to the Australian water industry in their endeavour to achieve energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services.Read moreRead less